Punjab government forms medical board as farmer leader Dallewal’s health deteriorates
The Punjab government has formed a high-level medical board comprising senior doctors to provide medical care to farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who is on a fast unto death at Dabbi Gujran village. Despite concerns about his deteriorating health, Dallewal has refused to accept treatment or shifting to a makeshift hospital.
A team of medical experts and government officials, including Patiala DIG Mandeep Singh Sidhu, Patiala SSP Dr Nanak Singh, and DC Dr Preeti Yadav, urged Dallewal to seek medical treatment. The team offered quality treatment and informed him that medical teams are available 24/7 at the protest site, along with advanced life support (ALS) ambulances and necessary medical equipment.
These ambulances are equipped with ECG monitor, defibrillator, ventilator, suction machine, oxygen with mask, intravenous fluids, respiratory intubation equipment and catheterisation material. The team also suggested shifting him to Rajindra Medical College, Mata Kaushalya Hospital, or a temporary hospital set up 700 m away from the protest site.
The medical board, headed by the Medical Superintendent of Rajindra Hospital, Patiala, includes seven other doctors — Dr Ashish Bhagat, Prof of Medicine, GMC, Patiala; Dr Vikas Goyal, Prof of Surgery, GMC, Patial; Dr Lalit Garg, Associate Professor of Anaesthesia, GMC, Patiala; Dr Dilmohan, Orthopedician, MKH, Patiala; Dr Saurabh Sharma, Cardiologist, GMC, Patiala; Dr Harish Kumar, Neurosurgeon, GMC, Patiala, and Dr Harbhupinder Singh, Urologist, GMC, Patiala.
On Wednesday, Dallewal questioned 8 visiting Punjab ministers. He asked why CM Bhagwant Mann couldn’t stage a protest in front of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s residence to support farmers’ demands. He pointed out that Mann had previously fasted in support of AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal, asking, “If the CM can fast for Kejriwal, why can’t he protest for farmers now?”
Dallewal, 70, has been on a fast unto death since November 26, demanding a legally binding minimum support price for crops, debt waiver, pension for farmers and farm labourers, and other concessions.
